Chapter 305: A Guarantee for Their Daughter
Cecelia Archer figured that her conversations with Shane Grant had never been anything secretive, so if he wanted to listen in, so be it. She answered the call right there in her seat.
But she never expected that as soon as the call connected, Shane Grant would tell her this.
"Damien Vaughn just came looking for me. I know about what’s going on between you two. I wanted to know if it was just his side of the story, or if you and Candy are truly willing to accept him. That’s why I’m calling to ask."
"Don’t feel any pressure, Cecelia. Just be honest. If he really is Candy’s biological father, then whether you choose to be with him for yourself or for Candy, I’ll have nothing more to say. In fact, I’ll wish you both the best with all my heart."
His words left Cecelia Archer stunned.
’So Damien Vaughn had actually gone to find him! And he told Shane Grant that he’s Candy’s biological father? This is...’
Damien Vaughn, as if guessing what Shane Grant was saying on the other end of the line, showed Cecelia a photo on his phone.
"This is the DNA test result for me and Candy. The full report isn’t out yet, but this is enough for a basic confirmation. Cecelia, the girl who was sent to me at Club DL four years ago... it was actually you."
Between the incident with the hemolytic reaction and the fact that he’d mentioned Claire Clark during his confession yesterday while Candy was getting a transfusion, Cecelia had already begun to suspect the truth about what happened four years ago. It all connected back to when Claire had suddenly framed her.
But she had been at the hospital all last night, holding a vigil for the old man who had just passed away, and then this morning...
She hadn’t had time to think through all the details, and now Damien Vaughn was presenting her with a DNA report!
"When was this? When did you get this test done?"
"Yesterday. Regardless, the truth is out now. Because of a few meddling people, we’ve needlessly lost so many years, and you and Candy have suffered so much for nothing. I don’t want to waste any more time. Cecelia, let’s get married. Let’s give Candy a complete family, and give me a chance to make it up to you both."
Cecelia: "!!"
On the other end of the line, Shane Grant heard Damien Vaughn’s proposal crystal clear and gave a wry smile.
"For you and Candy, President Vaughn just handed me the international airport project on a silver platter. So you don’t need to make any decisions you’ll regret on my account. Candy has been longing for a father for a very long time. Whatever you decide, I’ll understand. I’ve said what I needed to say. You two can continue your conversation. I’m hanging up now."
Cecelia was still in a daze long after the call ended.
’Suddenly, I’ve found Candy’s biological father. And he’s actually the man Candy has been dreaming of, the powerful president of the Vaughn Group. This is too surreal!’
’He was only gone long enough to have a meal, yet he’s already gotten Shane Grant to back down so completely. It’s all too sudden!’
"I... I need to think about this. It’s too sudden. Just let me think."
Even though they had gotten a marriage certificate once before and had even lived together for a time, Cecelia had always thought of it as fake, like they were just playing house.
’Being proposed to so formally all of a sudden... I’m really going to have a family, a husband. I’m so flustered.’
But Damien Vaughn gave her no time to process, reaching out and pulling her by the hand.
"We’ve known each other for so long. What’s so sudden about it? Let’s get the license first. You’ll have plenty of time to think about it later."
Cecelia: "..."
"Grandfather’s death was sudden, and my second and third uncles have ulterior motives. The future of the Vaughn Group is uncertain. I’m worried that if we don’t do this now, I’ll get too busy later and... Besides, registering our marriage sooner will give Candy security sooner. Just trust me on this."
Damien Vaughn laid it all out for Cecelia, point by point, as if he were negotiating a business deal.
"I don’t have the extensive dating experience that Brandon Jacobs and Wyatt Wynn do. I don’t know the romantic tricks or sweet nothings to make you happy. But I will absolutely show you my sincerity through my actions. I already got your household registration book from Shane Grant. Judge me by my actions, Cecelia."
Cecelia hadn’t even made up her mind yet, but Candy, the enthusiastic supporter and head of their ’shipping’ fan club, was the first to get excited.
"What? You’re going to get married? You’re really going to be my daddy? AHH! I’m so excited! I’ve never seen anyone get married before! I want to go with you!"
"When are we going? Right now? I’m all full! Mommy, Daddy, let’s go!"
And so, between Candy and Damien Vaughn’s combined efforts of urging and bewildering her, Cecelia found herself getting into the car in a daze, following them to the Civil Affairs Bureau in a complete fog.
Damien Vaughn kept an arm around her the entire time, taking the lead in asking where to get the photos taken and where to file the paperwork. Soon, the two of them were sitting in front of the registration window.
When they handed over their IDs and household registration books, the clerk was instantly starstruck.
She’d been doing this job for several years and had processed countless couples, but this was honestly the first time she had ever seen a pair so perfectly matched—a handsome, capable man and a beautiful woman.
Good-looking couples were always a welcome sight, and the clerk couldn’t help but smile.
"Alright, let’s begin the procedure. Please answer my questions truthfully. The groom is Damien Vaughn, correct?"
"That’s me."
"And are you here to obtain this marriage license of your own free will?"
"Yes."
"You are not a direct blood relative of the bride, correct?"
"We are not."
"Okay, this is a declaration of intent. Please fill it out according to the instructions, then sign and add your thumbprint."
Then she turned to Cecelia.
"And the bride is Cecelia Archer, is that right?"
Cecelia: "..."
’Bride?’
’To think someone would actually call me ’the bride’ one day. It feels so strange, so awkward.’
’Getting the license this time feels completely different from the first time...’
The clerk was taken aback when Cecelia didn’t respond.
’The groom is so handsome, young, and tall, and he answered all the questions so decisively. Why is the bride hesitating? How could she not be interested in a man this gorgeous?’
"So, is the bride here to complete the marriage registration of her own free will?"
Seeing that Cecelia was still in a daze, looking as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t, Damien didn’t even glance at the declaration form in his hand. He just signed the bottom and pressed his thumbprint.
"I’ve already signed. Too late for regrets. You’re mine now. Cecelia, answer the question."
Cecelia: "..."
The clerk was shocked yet again.
’All those questions on the form about prenuptial assets and property division... this handsome man signed it without even looking. He must really be in love with her!’
’I’ve seen people who are head over heels, but never like this. And from a super-handsome guy, no less. It makes me so jealous I could die.’
"Ma’am, I’ll ask one more time. Are you here to process this marriage application voluntarily? If not, or if you’re still undecided, then I must ask you to..."
Under the counter, Damien squeezed Cecelia’s hand.
’Who could have imagined that the typically cold, severe President Vaughn would one day wear such a pitiful, worried expression?’
He gave her hand a little shake under the counter, his pleading gaze making him look like a puppy about to be abandoned by her...
Meeting his pleading, pitiful gaze, and glancing back at their daughter, who was perched on a chair behind them, waiting with eager anticipation, Cecelia finally made her decision.
"Yes. I am."